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Book Description:

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Synopsis:

"Copper Plate Photogravure" describes in comprehensive detail the technique of traditional copper plate photogravure as would be practised by visual artists using normally available facilities and materials. Attention is paid to step-by-step guidance through the many stages of the process. A detailed manual of technique, it also offers the history of the medium and reference to past alternative methods of practice. Photogravure arguably remains one of the most satisfyingly beautiful image-making processes. The range of possibilities of ink colour and paper qualities is endless. The potential for hand work and alteration of the copper plate provides yet another realm of expressive variation. Besides the advantage of unlimited possibilities for interpretation of the image, the photogravure plate can be absolutely faithful to the original negative. The subject matter and the treatment is as variable and broad as photography itself. Virtually abandoned in the latter half of the 20th century due its difficulty and expense, this book is an exploration of the process using currently available materials. Its purpose is to demystify and clarify what is ultimately a complex but altogether "do-able" photo-mechanical process. Photogravure is a positive working photomechanical intaglio process. Making a photogravure can be described as a series of discrete stages: making the positive, sensitizing the tissue, making the resist, etching the plate, and finally printing the plate. In this text you will learn how to: produce a full-scale film positive from a photographic negative; sensitize the gravure tissue to prepare if for exposure to the positive; prepare the various strengths of etching solutions used to etch the copper; prepare the plate and its resist prior to etching; and rework the plate using printmaking tools to correct flaws or to adjust the image for aesthetic reasons. Appendices of detailed technical information, charts, tables and forms are included. Also included is a list of suppliers and sources for the materials required, many of which are highly specialized. A comprehensive glossary introduces the non-printmaker and/or non-photographer to many of the terms particular to those fields and associated with this process.

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